What more could we possibly need?

Does it ever stop? Are we ever able to just sit back and say “I have enough. Thank you, Lord”?

I don’t think that this side of Heaven, we will know that filled up and satisfied feeling that doesn’t go away.

There is always something more, around the corner, waiting for us to oogle, desire, covet, want… Like the Israelites in the desert, we aren’t content with the Lord’s idea of being blessed. Even if we live in the biggest house on the block, we worry that we could lose it all tomorrow. Or that a new gadget will come out tomorrow and we will have to wait until *gasp* it goes on sale.

Our idea of blessed is when things are going our way; when we aren’t struggling with bills, when we have a home that has extra room for all of our things that we have been able to aquire.

We may start out humbly, and simply, with good intentions (you know what they say about those…) and small needs, but as soon as that need is met, we have a new need that takes it’s place.

Before long, even our definition of “need” changes… At first it’s: “I need food”, “I need new shoes, I’ve out grown my only pair.” It gradually becomes “I need that new car.” “I need that beautiful dress.” “I need my living room redecorated.”

I’m no different. It’s our flesh. But that doesn’t mean we should feed it. We try to teach our children not to have the “gimme gimmes” – but do we set the example for them? Or are we just teaching them that one of the perks of becoming an adult is that then it is okay to feed those desires?

We won’t ever be satisfied on our own. We will always want more.

Every day, we need to lay our flesh down before the Lord and ask Him to be the source of our needs, what we desire and to be what satisfies us.

Below is a song by Sara Groves. I love this song, because it is such an excellent example and mirror of what we all struggle with. Sometimes, all it takes is a small nudge to get us headed back in the right direction.

It’s a bouncy little ditty, that defies the depth of it’s meaning. Consider it prayerfully.

All I Need by Sara Groves
(on this link, scroll down to the song title [#9] and click to listen)

All I Need – Sara Groves

Newly married, new apartment All our furniture was saved from the dump Yes dear maybe we can afford a trashcan next month All I need is my love for you and a seat for two New baby new life We will teach him to speak French We’ve got no money so we’ll make it all ourselves I’ll make the curtains and you make the shelves All I need is a power saw and a new sewing machine Honey, this house needs a little something That bare mantle doesn’t look so good Someone told me of a man Who makes animals from driftwood All I need is your monthly bonus for a wooden walrus Honey, the Colbaughs are coming over This house needs some renovations Just a wall or two, just a little room And a few new decorations All I need is a sectional and a satellite TV and dark-wood cabinets that were custom built for me and a painting by that guy that paints with his feet… That’s all I need

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus Php 4:19

A very excellent and convicting post, Karla. In our modern day western society we are especially prone to this dissatisfaction. It is fed into us from a very early age. I love what you said here: “Every day, we need to lay our flesh down before the Lord and ask Him to be the source of our needs, what we desire and to be what satisfies us”That is exactly how we will combat the spirit of want and dissatisfaction.

Hey Karla, I came across your blog recently and have been reading it for a couple of weeks now. Me and my husband have been talking about this issue ourselves recently. Both of us feel really challenged by God to be content with the amazing ways God has provided for us already. To be content with what we have and not desiring consistently for more.. I guess its a struggle that is a part of our humanity.

We are also expecting a baby – in Septmeber. I’m 21 wks so are at about the same stage as you. We have two little girls aged 3 and 18mths…

I don’t think God wants to keep those “things” from us (desires we have etc) but the error is that we make it more important than Him. I am learning to just trust in Him.

The children of Israel complained about food and clothing but didn’t realize that they were wealthy because of Jesus. I get that way from time to time and I have to remind myself of the mircales God has already done in my life.